Washington Post: NATO lacks consensus on Ukraine’s membership ahead of Vilnius summit.

NATO will not issue a formal invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance at the upcoming Vilnius summit in July, according to official sources interviewed[1] by The Washington Post. Baltic nations and the Czech Republic support concrete steps defining the path to membership ahead of the summit. These countries argue that Ukraine has endured enough suffering to earn its place and hesitation would only empower the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

France, Germany, and the U.S. prefer "a slower, more cautious approach," according to the article. Some of the arguments against the rapid ascension include prioritizing battlefield support. "The objective between now and Vilnius is getting to an agreement that displays unity and tangible support to Ukraine, maintains the open-door policy, and shows progress toward membership, while respecting the concerns of some member countries," a British diplomat said to The Washington Post.

On April 21, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed[2] that President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted the invitation to attend the Vilnius summit. Ahead of the visit, Ukraine's president has called[3] for security guarantees from international partners, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba has urged[4] for an accelerated NATO membership process.

Ukraine war latest: 2 Russian commanders killed in Bakhmut as Ukraine ramps up counterattacks near the city Key developments on May 14: * Ukraine says it captured more than 10 Russian positions in northern and southern Bakhmut outskirts * Russia says two commanders killed in the Battle of Bakhmut * Zelensky meets Scholz in Berlin, calls on Germany's support for fighter jets * Governor: Russian attack...

[5] The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent.

We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine.

Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

References

  1. ^ interviewed (www.washingtonpost.com)
  2. ^ confirmed (kyivindependent.com)
  3. ^ called (kyivindependent.com)
  4. ^ urged (kyivindependent.com)
  5. ^ Ukraine war latest: 2 Russian commanders killed in Bakhmut as Ukraine ramps up counterattacks near the cityKey developments on May 14: * Ukraine says it captured more than 10 Russian positions in northern and southern Bakhmut outskirts * Russia says two commanders killed in the Battle of Bakhmut * Zelensky meets Scholz in Berlin, calls on Germany's support for fighter jets * Governor: Russian attack... (kyivindependent.com)

Tags: